A murder inquiry has been launched after a man was run over and then stabbed on a street near a Greenock primary school.

Michael Beaton, 35, was found with serious injuries on Drumfrochar Road at around 7.20pm on Sunday.

He died a few hours later at Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

Police Scotland said initial inquiries have established that Mr Beaton was struck by a light-coloured vehicle and then attacked with a bladed weapon.

Detective Chief Inspector Lynsey Watters said: “Enquiries are ongoing to establish the exact circumstances of the incident, however we do not believe that this was a random attack.

“This was an extremely violent attack which has shocked the local community and caused disruption to their daily routines whilst we carry out our forensic enquiries.”

The incident led to the closure of nearby St Patrick’s Primary School on Monday as police cordoned off Drumfrochar Road for investigation.

The school remains shut.

In a fresh statement issued on Inverclyde Council’s Facebook page, the local authority once again named other schools the pupils could attend in the meantime.

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DCI Watters added: “I’d like to assure the people living in the area that we are doing everything we can to trace the person or persons responsible for this shocking incident and that there will be an increased police presence in the area.

“Anyone who witnessed the attack, saw any suspicious individuals or vehicles in or around the area, or has any other information that could assist our investigation is asked to contact police immediately.

“I’d also like people to check their dashcam and ring doorbell footage in case they have captured something on it which could be vital to our inquiry.”

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